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In March, Philadelphia DSA members showed up in droves with healthcare workers, community members, and elected leaders to pass a Philadelphia city-wide resolution supporting the Medicare for All Act of 2017 and affirming universal access to healthcare as a human right. This victory showed that in a city where the poverty rate is over 26%, city council leaders learned where to stand when it comes to universal healthcare. To move a national campaign to win Medicare for All, we need to build support from a broad range of cities and municipalities across the country. With some research, planning, and lobbying, you could work with city council members to pass a resolution of support in your city too!

What does a City Council Resolution Accomplish?

Moves Public Opinion: Successful resolutions can move public support in favor of universal healthcare. When you are canvassing, talking to community members, or recruiting people to the campaign, you can point to this resolution to build credibility towards your campaign.

Builds Momentum: Since single-payer healthcare is a long-term goal, it is important to build tangible benchmarks along the way! If we can move more elected leaders to sign on and vote for Medicare for All, we are one step closer to winning. It also keeps members engaged in the campaign when we can celebrate victories along the way.

Builds Knowledge and Skills in your Chapter: Throughout the process, you will have the opportunity to train DSA members and develop leaders around organizing, lobbying, and other skills that will help build your chapter. This is also an opportunity to teach members about the political process and actors in your city.

Builds Relationships in your City: Through the process of working with other communities and identifying common issues, you have the chance to build lasting relationships with organizations and leaders with shared interests.

Flexes Your Power as a Chapter: Working on a tangible and public campaign to pass a city council resolution gives your chapter more name recognition and clout. Remember, whether the resolution passes this time or not, the process of engaging DSA and community members in this campaign will help set your chapter up for the next victory!

Our indispensable M4A Organizing Guide has more details for organizing your M4A working group to help bring a resolution like Philadelphia's before your city's government while exercising these five objectives in the process. Check it out!

Questions? Join M4A activists from all over the country for DSA's M4A's June Chapter Activist Training Call to learn how you, with some research, planning, and lobbying, could work with your city council members to pass a resolution of support in your city! The call will be Saturday, June 30th from 1-2 PM PST. RSVP today!